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Learn more about the Proton Therapy Center

We have created a library of several videos for you with key information on benefits of proton therapy, real patient stories and a virtual tour of the proton center.

Video Library

What is Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is an advanced radiation treatment option. Due to its precise and focused beams of radiation, there is less risk of damage to surrounding tissues. The Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center is the only proton therapy center in a 200-mile radius of Chicago offering state-of-the-art treatment with radiation therapy. Learn more about proton therapy and how it works.

Benefits of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy that offers more precise treatment compared to traditional radiation. Proton beams target the cancer tissue and lower the risk of damage to the surrounding, healthy tissue resulting in fewer side effects. Proton therapy is especially effective for prostate, breast, lung, brain and pediatric cancers. Learn more about who can proton benefit from proton therapy.

Proton Therapy Patient Testimonials

Hear real patients share their cancer journeys and explain why proton therapy was the best treatment option for them. Thanks to the expert physicians, wonderful care team, and convenient location at the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center, many patients complete treatment with minimal side effects. Learn more about proton therapy.

Proton Therapy for Brain Tumors

Hazeezat Makinde’s brain tumor was in a sensitive location so proton therapy was the perfect treatment option for her because of its accuracy and precision. See why she said that the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center staff made her feel “like part of the family,” and learn why proton therapy could be the right choice for your brain tumor.

Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer

As a breast cancer patient, Theresa M. was looking for a treatment that would limit the amount of radiation to her lungs and heart. The Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center team treated her cancer with state-of-the-art proton therapy with a successful outcome. Theresa says, “I am a much healthier person today because I had proton therapy as an option.” Learn more about how proton therapy can help.

Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Tumors

As a professional singer recently diagnosed with tonsillar cancer, Tom Garrett was searching for an alternative treatment that would spare damage to his vocal chords and soft palate. That's when he discovered proton therapy and the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center. Learn more about the benefits of proton therapy.

Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

Rozanne Cokinis was treated at the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center for lung cancer, and said it was “a Godsend” because of its accuracy and minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Learn more about why proton therapy may be right for you.

As a prostate cancer patient, Bill Innes was looking for a treatment that would spare the healthy tissue surrounding his tumor. The Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center team treated his cancer with state-of-the-art proton therapy, resulting in a successful outcome with minimal side effects. Learn more about how proton therapy can help prostate cancer patients.

Proton Therapy for Pediatric Patients

Dylan Full was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His family chose proton therapy because of the reduced risk of harming healthy tissue, which is extremely important in pediatric patients. Learn more about why proton therapy is so effective and how it helps your kid be a kid again.

Watch Our Virtual Tour with Arabic Subtitles

The Chicago Proton Center is the only proton therapy center in Illinois. Take a tour of the center and learn about the proton radiation treatment process, healing environment, comprehensive cancer team and dedicated patient services team. Proton therapy is at the forefront of cancer treatment, and the Chicago Proton Center is here to help you through a challenging time with comfort and confidence.

NM Chicago Proton Center Virtual Tour

The Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center is the first and only proton therapy center in Illinois. Combining leading edge technology and a comprehensive team approach provides patients with the resources they need to get back to their everyday lives. Take a tour of the center to learn about proton radiation treatment and facility resources that bring world-class care closer to you. Learn more about proton therapy.

Innovative Cancer Care: The Vertical CT Scanner

Continuous innovation and improved outcomes are what we strive for at Chicago Proton Center. We are the first U.S. proton center to incorporate a vertical CT scanner, which allows proton therapy planning images to be taken while a patient is in a seated position in a specially designed chair. Being in a seated position reduces motion in the chest and increases absolute lung volume, allowing for more precise imaging. Because of a robotic arm, the treatment chair is used not only for a CT scan, but also during proton therapy treatment. Treating a patient with proton therapy in a seated position helps reduce exposure to non-targeted sites within the body during treatment, especially for patients with lung cancer, lymphoma, esophageal cancer and certain head and neck tumors. Learn more about our dedication to innovation.